the 15" or the 17" Macbook Pro

Im a future University Student and I was thinking of getting a Macbook Pro.

Now, I dont know which one to get [the 17" or the 15"]. They both have pretty much the same features. But they say that the 17" seems to have more battery-life but its also more expensive. The 15" is smaller and less expensive. And then theres always the 2.4GHz 15" or the 2.66GHz 15"....so.....

Does anyone have any idea about how i should go about making a decision about which one to get?

 

If it were a year from now, I'd recommend the 17" MBP; mainly as the 17 has a WUXGA screen, while the 15 has only a WXGA+ screen. There is also the good battery life.
This year, its a more difficult decision. Mainly as significant upgrades (Nehalem CPU, SSD, USB 3.0 etc) are coming next year. If you dont have an immediate need for a MBP, I'd recommend getting a cheaper laptop for this year, then getting the 17" next year.

 

the size difference between the 15" and the 17" MBP is quite small. the 17" is smaller than the last gen one, while the 15" gets a bit bigger.

the screen bezel on the 17" is smaller compared to the 15" one.

although, while i do say that, sometime, 1" or 1.5" do mean something, also the 17" is heavier.

do you travel a lot with your notebook?
do you plan to put it in the desk for your class?

although, the 17" macbook pro is quite small, you would think its a 15" notebook if the lid were close, if it were to sit next to another 17" windows notebook. and you do get that 1920x1200 screen res. and better battery life.

if you dont mind spending the money, i recommend getting the 17"

my only problem with the 17" is the non-replaceable battery.

 

non-user replaceable battery

 

Strongly recommend this.
+1 for ya.

 

I agree with this too.

 

wait a year or more for a good mac when you can get one now.... thats like 90%-95% as good as the new one that will come out...? Just get one now and sell it off in a year if you wanna buy a different one. I don't like the 17"ers... just too big (even if they are half the size of WinPC 17" laptops).. I like the 13" size, but like the better performance of the Pros, so I usually stick with a 15"

 

Its more like 70%. The upgrades are significant for the next cycle.
--Nehalem CPU with no FSB
--USB 3.0 with 10x the speed of USB 2.0
--SSD
--- GPU ??

 

...which is a lot of speculation. Sure the processors might be a lot better, when they are out and we know... doesn't mean for everyone use they will be any faster at all, depends what you do with your machine. USB 3.0? so? buncha hype... SSD? can add that to any you want even current MBPs... Thats a lot of minor things to wait an undetermined amount of time on... could be a year... could be 2...

 

If you need a laptop immediately and if mobility is an issue (eg. you will be walking around campus alot with your MBP), I'd suggest 15" + get a 22" monitor for your dorm room.

With a USB mouse and keyboard, you can use your laptop like a desktop, it's a pretty smart way to use it.

 

It cannot be 2 years, look at intels timeline. Mobile Nehalem CPUs were supposed to come out later this year. I'm giving a 4 month safety margin. And what do you mean USB 3.0 is a bunch of hype ? Those are specs, and again there isa timeline.
Yes, you can add SSDs now, but they be a lot cheaper next year.

 

It depends on a lot of things. Apple would have to go back to Intel chipsets as it currently stands, if nvidia and intel cant work out their lawsuits... which may delay things for Apple. USB 3 is a bunhca hype.. it'll be years before its useful to many people, and if Apple follows trend, it could be out for years before they put it on a machine, just like they did with USB1.1 to USB 2.

yeah and SSDs will be even cheaper in 10 years! keep waiting.

 

I know there's a lot of hype of the Intel Nehalem stuff. However, if these new CPUs for notebooks are really a lot faster than the current Penryn CPUs, then getting a current MB/MBP & selling it a year later may lose a lot more resale value than you think. Of course, if one is buying a MB/MBP now & use it for however long it may last, then it is "totally different."

The main thing I agree with you though is that if one needs a MB/MBP now, then of course just go get it, if possible.